There may only be 17 women in the Senate now, but that could change come 2010.

Politico reports that more and more female lawmakers are preparing to run for Senate seats next year. And most of them are Democrats, including Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan — who may have to run against Republican state Treasurer Sarah Steelman — and U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania. Then you have two other women — U.S. Reps. Carolyn McCarthy and Carolyn Maloney — who may be vying for the New York Senate seat currently held by Sen. Kristen Gillibrand. Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina also may run against against Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA.  Fiorina, who is a Republican and served as a surrogate to John McCain’s presidential campaign last year, on Saturday said the GOP could use a makeover, adding: ”We are not the party of bigwigs and fat cats,” but the party of ”power to the people.”

"This is really unprecedented for leading female candidates jumping in," said Karen O’Connor, director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University. "It really is a landmark year because there’s a farm team now."

Meanwhile, women’s groups are championing Illinois state Democratic Rep. Sara Feigenholtz to fill Rahm Emanuel’s House seat, which was vacated when President Obama tapped him as his chief of staff. An April 7 general election will be held to pick Emanuel’s successor, after a March 3 Democratic primary, and Feigenholtz has a crowded field to win. She has been endorsed by the National Organization for Women, EMILY’s List, Feminist Majority, and others.

And in California, if/once the Rep. Hilda Solis is confirmed as Obama’s labor secretary, a special election will be announced for her eastern Los Angeles House seat. There is at least one woman who is considered a serious candidate in the race — former Monterey Park Mayor Judy Chu. State Sen. Gloria Romero was also said to be in the running for a short time, but she announced last month that she was running for a state education post instead. Chu, a former teacher, recently won the backing of some large labor groups in her race against state Sen. Gil Cedillo. A primary could be held next month.

A U.S. Senate committee on Feb. 11 finally approved the nomination of the pro-labor Solis, and sent it to the full Senate for a vote. 

Good luck to all those women looking to make a difference in Washington!